13 Abu Sayyaf members give up to military

From Malaysia Business Insight (Jul 9): 13 Abu Sayyaf members give up to military

AT least 13 members of the Abu Sayyaf surrendered to the military in Sulu on Saturday night in what officials said was a result of continuing combat operations against the terrorist group.

The 13 included Mudjakar Bagade, alias Jack;  Madzramil  Bagade, alias Madz; and Benarauf Bagade, all brothers of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Alden Bagade who the military said was accidentally shot and killed by another brother, Muslim Bagade, on June 17 in Indanan town.

The 10 others who surrendered were Albaser Hadjiri, alis Bas;  Junimar Sampangan, alias Kanol;  Alvarez Rasid, alias Bari; Aksan Adam; Sahari Absari; Jeneyvar Muammil;  Amil Sangkaan; Albenal Dawadil, alias Joko; one Nanoh, alias Sab Abduhrasad; and Sabri  Bidin, alias Sab.

Col. Gerry Besana, spokesman of the military’s Western Mindanao Command, said the 13 surrendered around 9 p.m. to the Army’s 2nd Special Forces Battalion in Barangay Samak in Talipao town.

Besana said the terrorists, who are undergoing custodial debriefing, turned over six high-powered and three low-powered firearms during their surrender. He said the 13 vowed to yield more firearms soon.

“Our combat operations are continuous. Its (surrender) also due to social pressure by the civilians and LGUs (local government units,” said Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo, commander of the military’s Joint Task Force Sulu.

“It’s due to social pressure, plus our relentless combat operation. They are growing hungry and they are on the run,” Pabayo added.

Pabayo said the surrender of the 13 terrorists means the military is on track to clearing Sulu “from the menace of the ASG through peaceful means by giving them a better option and to re-embrace the true essence of Islam.”

Wesmincom commander Lt. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega vowed the 13 will be given “support packages” under the government’s “Oplan Balikloob.”

“We also urge the other remaining ASG members to do the same because there is nothing more fulfilling than to accomplish our mission without any bloodshed,” Dela Vega said.

http://malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/13-abu-sayyaf-members-give-military